Staff

Ministry Assistant

Noah Gernander was raised in Jefferson City, MO. He recently finished his M.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa, where he served as a student leader in the WELS campus ministry there. He is currently teaching a few chemistry courses at Bethany Lutheran College in town, although he is also studying the Biblical languages to become a pastor in the next few years. He helps out at the Beacon by keeping the building open and running social media accounts. He and his wife recently had a baby, so that's been an exciting change for him! In his spare time, he likes to relax by watching a movie, playing board games, or going for a hike with his family. He also enjoys frisbee golf and playing upright bass in the Bethany orchestra!

2024-25 RA

Noah Schleusener was born and raised in Tomah, WI. As the Beacon Resident Assistant, he lives in the apartment connected to the Beacon Ministry Center, and assists Pastor Nelson with campus ministry. Noah graduated from Hillsdale College with a degree in Classics and is a first year student at Bethany Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading, going for walks, and discussing theology and philosophy. He also likes to think of himself as something of a mac and cheese connoisseur. Feel free to say hi if you see him at the Beacon or even to knock on his door if you're craving some pasta or conversation.

Pastor Marques Nelson was born in Greeley, Colorado, also growing up in Hoskins, Nebraska and Winona, Minnesota. For undergraduate pastoral studies, Marques attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm.  For several years, he worked in Milwaukee as a job developer, helping people with disabilities and disadvantages find jobs in their communities. While in Milwaukee, he completed his graduate seminary studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. This included a year of internship (vicar) at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Thornton, Colorado. 

After graduation from Seminary, Pastor Nelson served as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During this time he enjoyed serving the members of Good Shepherd and working with them to develop plans for multi-site ministry. This included plans for a new mission in fast growing North Liberty, Iowa with components of campus ministry for the U of Iowa.

Pastor Nelson served as campus pastor for six years, and now works primarily as coordinating pastor at our St. Paul’s campus in North Mankato. He still loves to stop by the Beacon when he has a chance, grab a guitar for chapel, or play a board game with students.